Swing-out workbench extension

ABSTRACT

The swing-out workbench extension of the present invention includes a rectangular swinging platform suspended from the top of a workbench by four swinging uprights on upper and lower axles between a lower stored position and an upper extended position. The rectangular swinging platform has at least one and preferably two tool support cross members extending between the respective opposed side members thereof. A latch is provided for releasably locking said rectangular swing platform in its said upper extended position. A heavy tool is connected to at least one cross member of the rectangular swing platform and is swingable outward from a stored position to an upper extended position and locked in place for use by a latch. The tool mounted on the rectangular swinging platform is also swingable downward to a stored position upon release of the latch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to work benches. More particularly, the present invention relates to work bench extensions for supporting tools.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of workbench top space in limited areas for supporting such power tools as saws, is undesireable since workbench top space is at a premium for carrying out many tasks. It is known to provide a swing-away work surface addition. Known structures are complex and subject to failure and are not designed to carry heavy loads between a storage position and an extended position for use. It would be desirable to provide a workbench extension which is simple in design and sufficiently strong to support a power saw or other tool which can be moved to a storage position, out of the way of use of the workbench top, or moved into a position for use when need. Such a workbench extension could also be useful for additional work space when needed.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a swinging shelf extension solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The swing-out workbench extension of the present invention includes a rectangular swinging platform having a front member, a rear member, and opposed side members and forming four corners. Four lower axle supports are attached to and depend from the side members at the four corners thereof and include two lower forward axle supports and two lower rear axle supports. Four upper axle supports are attached to and depend from a workbench top vertically aligned with the four lower axle supports and including two upper forward axle supports and two upper rear axle supports.

Four swinging uprights extend between respective upper and lower axle supports and include two front swinging uprights and two rear swinging uprights of such length that the rectangular swinging platform is swingable from a stored location below the bench top to an upper extended location substantially even in height with the bench top. Four front swinging axles rotatably connect the front swinging uprights with the respective front upper axle supports and front lower axle supports. Four rear swinging axles rotatably connect the rear swinging uprights with respective rear upper axle supports and rear lower axle supports.

The rectangular swing platform has at least one and preferably two tool support cross members extending between the respective opposed side members thereof. A latch is provided for releasably locking said rectangular swing platform in its said upper extended position. A heavy tool is connected to at least one cross member of the rectangular swing platform and is swingable outward from a stored position to an upper extended position and locked in place for use. The tool mounted on the rectangular swinging platform is also swingable downward to a stored position upon release of the latch.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a swinging shelf extension in the stored position according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 with the swing shelf extension swung to the upper extended position.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the swinging shelf extension of FIG. 1 in the stored position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the swinging shelf of FIG. 3 in an intermediate position.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partially broken away, of the swing shelf of FIG. 3 in the upper, extended position.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a swing-out workbench extension for holding or mounting items such as power tools. The power tool on the extension swings out to a locking position and swings inward and downward underneath the workbench when not in use.

Referring to the Figures, swing-out workbench system 10 includes a workbench top 12 having legs 14 at at least its corners and lateral leg supports 16. Swing-out shelf extension 20 includes swinging uprights 22 supporting a swinging platform portion 24 having side members 26, a front member 28, and a rear member, platform portion 24 being free to swing forward and upward on front swing axles 32 and rear swing axles 34 at respective upper and lower ends of the swinging uprights 22. Platform front, side, and rear member are conveniently made of angle steel stock welded or otherwise attached to form the rectangular swinging platform 24.

Tool support cross members 36 are mounted at spaced locations to the side members 26 to support a tool such as saw S. Saw S as mounted on tool support cross members 36 of swinging platform portion 24 is shown in FIG. 1 in its lower, stored position, and in FIG. 2 in its upper extended position for use. The swinging platform 24 may be a solid surface for additional work surface for the workbench top 20 if desired. It is noted that the respective lengths of the swinging uprights 22 must be of such length relative to the depth of the workbench top 10 and rectangular swing platform 24 so as to not interfere when platform 24 is in the upper extended position while providing adequate depth for storage of the saw S.

Crankshaft locking block 38 is mounted to the underside of workbench top 12 and receives the tapered end 56 (see FIG. 5) of threaded crankshaft 44 of locking crank 40 operated by crank handle 42. Threaded crankshaft 44 has threads 50 along its length and is mounted in crank screw sleeve 46 having inner threads corresponding to the threads 50 such that crankshaft 44 moves axially inward and outward upon turning locking crank 40 with crank handle 42. Crank screw sleeve 46 is centrally attached under a tool support cross member 36 as by welding. Crankshaft 44 is further supported by front bearing 48 centrally mounted under platform front member 28. A handle 49 is attached to the platform front member 28 for ease in manually raising the swinging shelf extension 20 to the upper extended position and for lowering to the stored position (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, upper axle supports 52 depend from the underside of workbench top 12 and lower axle supports 54 extend upward from the front and rear corners of the swinging platform portion such the swinging uprights 22 are free to swing on front swing axles 32 and rear swing axles 34, respectively. The upper axle supports 52 may be angle supports bolted or welded to the bench top surface 12.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a cutaway view showing tapered end 56 of threaded crankshaft 44 aligned for locking into locking block receiver 38, and a detail view of the tapered end 56 of crankshaft 44 engaged with locking block receiver 38, respectively. The locking block receiver 38 has a partial bore 58 therein for positively receiving tapered end 56, thereby locking swinging platform 24 in the upward, extended position for use. FIGS. 4 and 5 also show a workbench extension surface 60 mounted on rectangular swing platform 24 of a thickness and configuration to evenly extend the work surface of top 12.

Although the swinging shelf extension 20 as shown and described is manually lifted and locked, other means may be employed for the lifting, locking, and retracting of the swinging shelf extension 20. Such means may include an electrically driven lift having a screw drive or being gear driven; a hydraulic lift; an air or pneumatic lit; and a spring assist lift employing torsion springs, torsion bars, compression springs or extension springs or a combination thereof. The swing arms may be equipped with a ratcheting mechanism to lock them in the upright, extended position. A one-way shock absorber can be attached for a smooth return of the shelf extension to the down or stored position.

The swing-out shelf extension or appliance shelf can easily be made vertically adjustable as desired to align with the bench top as desired. The swing-out shelf extension may be constructed of steel or other appropriate materials.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A swing-out workbench extension, comprising: a rectangular swinging platform having a front member, a rear member, and opposed side members and forming four corners; four lower axle supports attached to and depending from said side members at said four corners thereof and including two lower forward axle supports and two lower rear axle supports; four upper axle supports attached to and depending from a workbench top vertically aligned with respective said four lower axle supports and including two upper forward axle supports and two upper rear axle supports; four swinging uprights extending between respective said upper and lower axle supports and including two front swinging uprights and two rear swinging uprights and of such length that said rectangular swinging platform is swingable from a stored location below the bench top to an upper location substantially even in height with the bench top; four front swinging axles rotatably connecting said front swinging uprights with respective said front upper axle supports and said front lower axle supports; four rear swinging axles rotatably connecting said rear swinging uprights with respective said rear upper axle supports and said rear lower axle supports; said rectangular swing platform having a plurality of tool support cross members extending between respective said opposed side members thereof; and a latch for releasably locking said rectangular swing platform in its said upper extended position; whereby a tool is connected to said cross members of said rectangular swing platform and is swingable outward from a stored position to an upper extended position and locked in place for use; and whereby said tool on said rectangular swing platform is swingable downward to a stored position upon release of said latch.
 2. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 1, said latch comprising a locking block shaft receiver having a defining a forward opening partial bore and attached to and depending from the workbench top and a threaded crankshaft rotatable mounted to the underside of said rectangular swing platform by a crank screw sleeve mounted to one of said tool support cross members, so as to be centrally located and parallel with said side members, said threaded crankshaft having a forward located crank handle for rotating said crankshaft, and a rear tapered end; whereby upon swinging said rectangular swing platform to its upper extended position, rotation of said crankshaft by said crank handle in one direction, said crankshaft tapered end engages said forward opening partial bore in said locking block shaft receiver, locking said platform in its upper position, and upon rotation of said crank handle in the other direction, said crankshaft tapered end is withdrawn from said forward opening partial bore, unlocking said platform from its upper position and allowing it to swing to the lower stored position.
 3. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 2, said rectangular swing platform includes a workbench extension surface supported thereon for use as a work surface.
 4. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 3, said workbench extension surface being extending to a level even with the top surface of the workbench top.
 5. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 1, further comprising a crankshaft bearing depending from the central portion of said swinging platform forward member further supporting said crankshaft.
 6. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 1, said rectangular swing platform includes a workbench extension surface supported thereon for use as a work surface.
 7. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 6, said workbench extension surface being extending to a level even with the top surface of the workbench top.
 8. A swing-out workbench extension, comprising: a rectangular swinging platform having a front member, a rear member, and opposed side members and forming four corners; four lower axle supports attached to and depending from said side members at said four corners thereof and including two lower forward axle supports and two lower rear axle supports; four upper axle supports attached to and depending from a workbench top vertically aligned with respective said four lower axle supports and including two upper forward axle supports and two upper rear axle supports; four swinging uprights extending between respective said upper and lower axle supports and including two front swinging uprights and two rear swinging uprights and of such length that said rectangular swinging platform is swingable from a stored location below the bench top to an upper extended position substantially even in height with the bench top; four front swinging axles rotatably connecting said front swinging uprights with respective said front upper axle supports and said front lower axle supports; four rear swinging axles rotatably connecting said rear swinging uprights with respective said rear upper axle supports and said rear lower axle supports; said rectangular swing platform having a plurality of tool support cross members extending between respective said opposed side members thereof; and a latch for releasably locking said rectangular swing platform in its said upper position; said latch comprising a locking block shaft receiver having a defining a forward opening partial bore and attached to and depending from the workbench top and a threaded crankshaft rotatable mounted to the underside of said rectangular swing platform by a crank screw sleeve mounted to one of said tool support cross members, so as to be centrally located and parallel with said side members, said threaded crankshaft having a forward located crank handle for rotating said crankshaft, and a rear tapered end; whereby upon swinging said rectangular swing platform to its upper extended position, rotation of said crankshaft by said crank handle in one direction, said crankshaft tapered end engages said forward opening partial bore in said locking block shaft receiver, locking said platform in its upper position, and upon rotation of said crank handle in the other direction, said crankshaft tapered end is withdrawn from said forward opening partial bore, unlocking said platform from its upper extended position and allowing it to swing to the lower stored position.
 9. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 8, wherein said rectangular swing platform includes a workbench extension surface supported thereon for use as a work surface.
 10. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 9, said workbench extension surface being extending to a level even with the top surface of the workbench top.
 11. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 8, further comprising a crankshaft bearing depending from the central portion of said swinging platform forward member further supporting said crankshaft.
 12. A workbench having a swing-out extension comprising: a generally rectangular workbench top having a plurality of support legs extending downward therefrom; a rectangular swinging platform having a front member, a rear member, and opposed side members and forming four corners; four lower axle supports attached to and depending from said side members at said four corners thereof and including two lower forward axle supports and two lower rear axle supports; four upper axle supports attached to and depending from said workbench top vertically aligned with respective said four lower axle supports and including two upper forward axle supports and two upper rear axle supports; four swinging uprights extending between respective said upper and lower axle supports and including two front swinging uprights and two rear swinging uprights and of such length that said rectangular swinging platform is swingable from a stored location below the bench top to an upper location substantially even in height with the bench top; four front swinging axles rotatably connecting said front swinging uprights with respective said front upper axle supports and said front lower axle supports; four rear swinging axles rotatably connecting said rear swinging uprights with respective said rear upper axle supports and said rear lower axle supports; said rectangular swing platform having a plurality of tool support cross members extending between respective said opposed side members thereof; and a latch for releasably locking said rectangular swing platform in its said upper position; whereby a tool is connected to said cross members of said rectangular swing platform and is swingable outward from a lower stored position to an upper extended position and locked in place for use; and whereby said tool on said rectangular swing platform is swingable downward to a stored position upon release of said latch.
 13. The workbench of claim 12, said latch comprising a locking block shaft receiver having a defining a forward opening partial bore and attached to and depending from the workbench top and a threaded crankshaft rotatably mounted to the underside of said rectangular swing platform by a crank screw sleeve mounted to one of said tool support cross members, so as to be centrally located and parallel with said side members, said threaded crankshaft having a forward located crank handle for rotating said crankshaft, and a rear tapered end; whereby upon swinging said rectangular swing platform to its upper extended position, rotation of said crankshaft by said crank handle in one direction, said crankshaft tapered end engages said forward opening partial bore in said locking block shaft receiver, locking said platform in its upper position, and upon rotation of said crank handle in the other direction, said crankshaft tapered end is withdrawn from said forward opening partial bore, unlocking said platform from its upper extended position and allowing it to swing to the lower stored position.
 14. The workbench of claim 13, wherein said rectangular swing platform includes a workbench extension surface supported thereon for use as a work surface.
 15. The workbench of claim 14, said workbench extension surface extending to a level even with the top surface of said workbench top.
 16. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 13, further comprising a crankshaft bearing depending from the central portion of said swinging platform forward member further supporting said crankshaft.
 17. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 12, said rectangular swing platform includes a workbench extension surface supported thereon for use as a work surface.
 18. The swing-out workbench extension of claim 17, said workbench extension surface being extending to a level even with the top surface of said workbench top. 